Muscat:
Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister has set out the vision and principles of openness, neutrality and mutual respect that shape the Sultanate of Oman’s foreign Policy.
Policies based on antagonism impede conflict resolution, Oman’s Foreign Minister told an audience in Muscat.
In a speech to an international delegation of young company executives, Sayyid Badr spoke about the principles that underpin Oman’s foreign policy and how they are deeply rooted in Omani history and Omani values
“We believe in creating spaces for dialogue, where conflict is resolved pragmatically, and common interests unite diverse perspectives,” he said.
“In Oman, hospitality is more than an act of kindness. It is a way of life. To welcome someone into our homes, our communities, and our nation is to recognise our potential to enrich each other’s lives,” he added.
“In this sense, hospitality is diplomacy in action. It is the first step toward fostering meaningful relationships,” the Minister said.
Diplomacy, he added, is the art of balance and Oman is a land of connection bridging continents cultures and ideas.
“For centuries, our shores welcomed explorers, traders, and thinkers from across the seas. Their exchange of perspectives shaped our national identity, as well as how we engage with the world,” he said.
“Diplomacy, to us, is not just an instrument of foreign policy. It is woven into the fabric of our DNA,” added the Minister.
In a wide-ranging speech at Oman’s National Museum, he said that foreign plans for Palestine often unjust and unsustainable.
Plans for the future of Palestine are often based on values that make them unsustainable and unjust.
Sayyid Badr expressed concern at the rise of antagonism on the world stage, describing it as not only troubling but also unproductive.
“Foreign plans for the future governance of Palestine are often rooted in antagonism,” said the Minister.
“This makes them unsustainable and unjust, by denying the Palestinians the right to choose their own leaders,” he added.
“Far too many make it a point of principle not to talk to their enemies. They see dialogue as a reward to withhold from parties with whom they disagree,” he said.
Sayyid Badr added that many governments have a vision for peace in Palestine based on a two-state solution. But they do not recognise the State of Palestine because of their condemnation of Hamas.
This blinds them to the group’s legitimate demands, he said, adding that in many cases Hamas shares these demands with the Palestinian people who are seeking the right to security and self-determination – rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“So, if we are to find lasting solutions, we have to be willing to talk to those with whom we disagree. And, importantly, to listen,” he added.
The Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) is a global community of more than 35,000 company executives. A YPO delegation is currently visiting Oman.
